Federal, state, local leaders to meet Saturday in St. Cloud about Electrolux

Electrolux will cease production at its St. Cloud facility, according to a press release Tuesday Jan. 30 from the company. Production is expected to continue through 2019.
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In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith speaks in St. Paul, Minn. Smith is a possible replacement to fill U.S. Sen. Al Franken's seat after he announced his resignation amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on the Senate floor in Washington. His resignation means Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a fellow Democrat, will name a temporary replacement. The winner of a special election in November would serve through the end of Franken's term in January of 2021. (Aaron Lavinsky /Star Tribune via AP, File)(Photo11: Aaron Lavinsky, AP)

Correction: Early reports about Electrolux officials attending the meeting were incorrect.

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer will meet Saturday in St. Cloud with local leaders, economic development officials, and some Electrolux employees and union representatives to discuss the company’s plans to close its St. Cloud manufacturing facility.

The meeting, which will be closed to the public, is set for 1:45 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall. Smith, Emmer and others are expected to be available for questions from the media after the meeting.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will also be in town meeting with local officials on Saturday prior to the Electrolux meeting, said Drew Halunen, Klobuchar's communications adviser.

Electrolux announced Jan. 30 it will end production at the St. Cloud facility by 2020, eliminating 900 jobs at the plant, which manufacturers upright freezers.

Shane Delaney, communications director for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said Friday in a phone interview DEED staff attending the meeting Saturday will include: Joan Berning, regional job service manager; David Heyer, business development; Liz McLoone, rapid response; and May Thao Schuck, director of employment and training programs, according to Delaney.

"Right after this layoff notice was announced, the governer's commissioner of employment and economic development reached out to offer assistance," said Matt Swenson, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Mark Dayton. "We've been involved since the beginning and will continue to remain involved."

Smith, Emmer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar sent a letter Feb. 1 to Electrolux CEO Jonas Samuelson asking him to "reconsider your decision as soon as possible."

U.S. Eighth District Rep. Rick Nolan also sent a letter to Dayton's office earlier this week.